Two food facilities on probation

Officials cite mouse droppings among reasons.

Officials cite mouse droppings among reasons.

March 25, 2009|By ALICIA GALLEGOS Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Two establishments were given probation Monday after repeated health violations that included mouse feces found at both facilities. At a morning hearing for First Stop N Go, 3301 Portage Ave., health inspectors said that they found dozens of mouse droppings and two dead mice near a sink at the station in early March. Mice also had chewed through packages of food products and shredded through other material, according to health inspectors. Raj Singh, manager of the store, told health officials that a pest control company had since visited the premises and sprayed in the station. All other sanitary violations also had been cleaned and controlled, he said. At a separate hearing Monday, health officials also discussed a recent inspection at Loco's Mexican Restaurant, 3801 W. Western Ave., where they reportedly found visible mold on food, improperly labeled dates on items, along with mouse droppings near a pizza oven. Bar manager Jessica Wallace told health officials that a pest control company had been contacted and had rid the restaurant of the mouse problem. She argued that some of the other violations came from newly hired employees who did not know proper procedures. Health officials also questioned why signs they put up on the restaurant signifying that it was closed were taken down. Loco's was closed after health officials said a proper restaurant representative did not show up for its initial hearing. But Wallace said the issue was a misunderstanding and that the representative was, in fact, affiliated with the restaurant. She said she did not know about the signs, but that she believed the restaurant is being plagued by disgruntled employees and is also being harassed by the health department. Health department administrator Nick Molchan explained that by law, if someone issues a complaint, they must conduct an inspection. Both Loco's and First Stop N Go will be given six months of probation, at which time officials will inspect the properties regularly. First Stop N Go will begin probation immediately, while Loco's will start when it reopens. Molchan told both managers that the most important part of pest management is cleaning and not just maintenance. Staff writer Alicia Gallegos: agallegos@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6368